Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob

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On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob




LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

AFAIK, the dimmer designed for LED's would not require a specific brand.

On 4/8/2014 3:12 PM, philo wrote:
On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

No.


b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

Dunno.


c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Considered one of the best, AND made in the USA.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 4:12:21 PM UTC-4, philo* wrote:
On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:

Hello,



Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is

confusing.



a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable

(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?



b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are

dimmable capable ?



c. Cree are "good" brand ?



Thanks,

Bob









LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your

incandescent lights, it will not work.



That is pretty much what I thought too. But I've seen LED light spec
sheets that show compatibility with a wide array of dimmers, a lot
of them not specifically for LED lighting. I think the best answer
is you need to check the specs for the particular LED and see exactly
what they say.

philoÂ* writes:

On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob

LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

I had my current dimmer switch installed in 2000.
I bought home some Cree LED ceiling floods installed them
and they dim fine.

Saving energy and long life is great, but the best part is the
quality of light I get from the LEDs.

--
Dan Espen

Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob

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This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

Answer to a. b.
Ordinary dimmers work fine with GE, Phillips brand we
installed. If you have more than a bulb in a fixture, just make
sure they are same one. Otherwise they flicker maybe due to
different current draw?

c. Some noticed Cree lamps make faint buzzing. So I did not bother
trying them myself. So far I have a dozen LEDs in the house.
No issues yet. Had them about 6 months.

On 4/8/2014 4:12 PM, philo wrote:
On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob




LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

AFAIK, the dimmer designed for LED's would not require a specific brand.


Yes it will. I changed out two incandescent bulbs that were on a
dimmer. Put in LEDs and everything works good.


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philo* wrote:

snip


LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

AFAIK, the dimmer designed for LED's would not require a specific brand.

Many LED are dimmable with ordinary dimmers. That is the only kind I
will buy. Just check on the package and it will state if a special
dimmer is required.
--
Jim Rusling
More or Less Retired
Mustang, OK
My local Weather http://www.wunderground.com/weathers...p?ID=KOKMUSTA4

On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:12:21 -0500, philo* wrote:

On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob




LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

AFAIK, the dimmer designed for LED's would not require a specific brand.
This is NOT correct. They require a dimmable design. The driver
circuitry cannot be a "constant current" driver. There are dimmable
and non-dimmable designs - and the dimmable ones dim just fine on a
standard dimmer. I use Lutrons, myself.

On 04/08/2014 07:09 PM, wrote:




LED's require a special dimmer control. If you have one now for your
incandescent lights, it will not work.

AFAIK, the dimmer designed for LED's would not require a specific brand.
This is NOT correct. They require a dimmable design. The driver
circuitry cannot be a "constant current" driver. There are dimmable
and non-dimmable designs - and the dimmable ones dim just fine on a
standard dimmer. I use Lutrons, myself.




OK thanks

On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:35:58 -0500, Moe DeLoughan
wrote:

On 4/8/2014 3:12 PM, philo wrote:
On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

No.


b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

Dunno.


c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Considered one of the best, AND made in the USA.
But a very large number of "cree" LED lamps are assembled in China
and have a less than stellar record. I've used Chinese sourced MR16
and GU10, both dimmable and non dimmable. Of about 150 -160 of the 12
volt ones I have installed, I have replaced over 75 over a period of
less than 2 years. Of thw 120 volt ones, of which I have 7 installed
in one track and 3 others, I have replaced 12 in the last 2 years.
These are 3X3 and 4X3 watt assemblies. Bothe driver circuitry and LED
failures have been experienced. The LEDs are fastened to aluminum
"star" boards but theleds do not contact the heat sink (board) except
by the contacts and there is no thermal compound used - which means
CRAPPY construction, and heat failures. The driver electronics are
"potted" into the base with RTV silicone. My suspicion is they are
also failing due to heat stress. Some fail by going to a "flash mode"
first, and others just go to a very dull glow.

On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:55:44 -0600, Tony Hwang
wrote:

Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?

c. Cree are "good" brand ?

Thanks,
Bob

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

Answer to a. b.
Ordinary dimmers work fine with GE, Phillips brand we
installed. If you have more than a bulb in a fixture, just make
sure they are same one. Otherwise they flicker maybe due to
different current draw?

c. Some noticed Cree lamps make faint buzzing. So I did not bother
trying them myself. So far I have a dozen LEDs in the house.
No issues yet. Had them about 6 months.
I've got 5 Phillips bulbs in a kitchen ceiling fan. They are on a
dimmer, and they dim nicely, but they DO buzz. It bothers my daughter,
my wife says she hears it when they are dimmed - I only hear it if I
really listen for it.

Bob wrote:
Hello,

Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is
confusing.

a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable
(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?


No.

b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are
dimmable capable ?


Perhaps.

c. Cree are "good" brand ?


Yep.

Thanks,
Bob


Greg

On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:18:00 -0400, wrote:

But a very large number of "cree" LED lamps are assembled in China
and have a less than stellar record. I've used Chinese sourced MR16
and GU10, both dimmable and non dimmable. Of about 150 -160 of the 12
volt ones I have installed, I have replaced over 75 over a period of
less than 2 years. Of thw 120 volt ones, of which I have 7 installed
in one track and 3 others, I have replaced 12 in the last 2 years.
These are 3X3 and 4X3 watt assemblies. Bothe driver circuitry and LED
failures have been experienced. The LEDs are fastened to aluminum
"star" boards but theleds do not contact the heat sink (board) except
by the contacts and there is no thermal compound used - which means
CRAPPY construction, and heat failures. The driver electronics are
"potted" into the base with RTV silicone. My suspicion is they are
also failing due to heat stress. Some fail by going to a "flash mode"
first, and others just go to a very dull glow.

I find it interesting that my personal experience has been very
different. I started buying CREE bulbs a few years ago when the
reasonably priced pleasant color temperature bulbs appeared at Home
Depot. I haven't had a single failure. (They are all 120V). I also
replaced all the candelabra base bulbs (also 120V) in our condo
association's outdoor pole lamps with LEDs (40 of them) about 5 years
ago and have had no failures. (Those were Philips, not CREE). Prior
to the switchover, I had to make a weekly tour of the grounds to
replace incandescent bulbs. That was a pleasant thing to do in spring
and fall, but not so much in winter (snow and cold) and summer
(mosquitos). I expected a low failure rate, but there hasn't been a
single failure.

Pat

On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 8:18:00 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:35:58 -0500, Moe DeLoughan

wrote:



On 4/8/2014 3:12 PM, philo wrote:

On 04/08/2014 12:46 PM, Bob wrote:

Hello,



Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is

confusing.



a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable

(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?



No.





b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are

dimmable capable ?



Dunno.





c. Cree are "good" brand ?



Considered one of the best, AND made in the USA.

But a very large number of "cree" LED lamps are assembled in China

and have a less than stellar record. I've used Chinese sourced MR16

and GU10, both dimmable and non dimmable. Of about 150 -160 of the 12

volt ones I have installed, I have replaced over 75 over a period of

less than 2 years. Of thw 120 volt ones, of which I have 7 installed

in one track and 3 others, I have replaced 12 in the last 2 years.

These are 3X3 and 4X3 watt assemblies. Bothe driver circuitry and LED

failures have been experienced. The LEDs are fastened to aluminum

"star" boards but theleds do not contact the heat sink (board) except

by the contacts and there is no thermal compound used - which means

CRAPPY construction, and heat failures. The driver electronics are

"potted" into the base with RTV silicone. My suspicion is they are

also failing due to heat stress. Some fail by going to a "flash mode"

first, and others just go to a very dull glow.

OMG, this is why I've been reluctant to buy LED's. Given where they
were priced and my experience with CFL's, I wasn't going to pay $30
to find out if they lasted anywhere near the claimed life. That must
have been a very expensive experience.

On Wed, 09 Apr 2014 07:34:46 -0400, Pat wrote:

On Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:18:00 -0400, wrote:

But a very large number of "cree" LED lamps are assembled in China
and have a less than stellar record. I've used Chinese sourced MR16
and GU10, both dimmable and non dimmable. Of about 150 -160 of the 12
volt ones I have installed, I have replaced over 75 over a period of
less than 2 years. Of thw 120 volt ones, of which I have 7 installed
in one track and 3 others, I have replaced 12 in the last 2 years.
These are 3X3 and 4X3 watt assemblies. Bothe driver circuitry and LED
failures have been experienced. The LEDs are fastened to aluminum
"star" boards but theleds do not contact the heat sink (board) except
by the contacts and there is no thermal compound used - which means
CRAPPY construction, and heat failures. The driver electronics are
"potted" into the base with RTV silicone. My suspicion is they are
also failing due to heat stress. Some fail by going to a "flash mode"
first, and others just go to a very dull glow.

I find it interesting that my personal experience has been very
different. I started buying CREE bulbs a few years ago when the
reasonably priced pleasant color temperature bulbs appeared at Home
Depot. I haven't had a single failure. (They are all 120V). I also
replaced all the candelabra base bulbs (also 120V) in our condo
association's outdoor pole lamps with LEDs (40 of them) about 5 years
ago and have had no failures. (Those were Philips, not CREE). Prior
to the switchover, I had to make a weekly tour of the grounds to
replace incandescent bulbs. That was a pleasant thing to do in spring
and fall, but not so much in winter (snow and cold) and summer
(mosquitos). I expected a low failure rate, but there hasn't been a
single failure.

Pat
Like I said - I bought mine from China. Nothing wrong with Cree LEDs,
but the LED is only a small part of the bulb. Just because it is
advertised as a CREE lamp (and actually contains CREE LEDs) does not
make it a good one.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 1:46:07 PM UTC-4, Bob wrote:
Hello,



Trying to learn about all these new replacement bulb, but sure is

confusing.



a. Are all brands, styles, etc. of the new LED bulbs dimmable

(assuming you have the right Dimmer switch) ?


No, and not even all bulbs from the same manufacturer.



b. If not, are the non-dimmable ones cheaper than the ones that are

dimmable capable ?


Often.



c. Cree are "good" brand ?


Yes, although if you can find them, I would try to search out the "true white" ones as they have a higher CRI than the ~80 CRI of the usual ones sold at Big Orange. I'm kind of a light quality snob, and really hope that LED development goes more towards high quality light than did CFLs which I found fairly disappointing overall.

nate